Philip Massinger Quotes - Page 3

Patience, the beggar's virtue, shall find no harbor here.

They are only safe That know to soothe the prince's appetite, And serve his lusts.

The good needs fear no law, It is his safety and the bad man's awe.

The sum of all that makes a just man happy Consists in the well choosing of his wife: And there, well to discharge it, does require Equality of years, of birth, of fortune; For beauty being poor, and not cried up By birth or wealth, can truly mix with neither. And wealth, when there's such difference in years, And fair descent, must make the yoke uneasy.

Nay, droop not, fellows; innocence should be bold.

Factions among yourselves; preferring such To offices and honors, as ne'er read The elements of saving policy; But deeply skilled in all the principles That usher to destruction.

I had not to this time subsisted, but that I was supported by your frequent courtesies and favours.

Giants in Their promises, but those obtained, weak pigmies In their performance.

Pleasures of worse natures Are gladly entertained, and they that shun us Practice in private sports the stews would blush at.

Greatness, with private men Esteem'd a blessing, is to me a curse; And we, whom, for our high births, they conclude The happy freemen, are the only slaves. Happy the golden mean!

If you like not hanging, drown yourself; Take some course for your reputation.

Quiet night, that brings Best to the labourer, is the outlaw's day, In which he rises early to do wrong, And when his work is ended dares not sleep.

I have play'd the fool, the gross fool, to believe The bosom of a friend will hold a secret Mine own could not contain.

Oh that thou hadst like others been all words, And no performance.

Without good company all dainties Lose their true relish, and like painted grapes, Are only seen, not tasted.

Detraction's a bold monster, and fears not To wound the fame of princes, if it find But any blemish in their lives to work on.

Black detraction will find faults where they are not.